July 9, 2018 – Menlo Park, CA At a luncheon reception for awardees on June 28, 2018, hosted by Community Gatepath at the Sobrato Center for Non-Profits, Sequoia Healthcare District renewed its commitment to the health and welfare of residents of the District by giving 50 Caring Community Grants totaling $2,400,000, including two programs of Peninsula Volunteers, Inc.(PVI)—Meals on Wheels and Rosener House Adult Day Services. Guests were welcomed by Sequoia Healthcare District CEO Pamela Kurtzman, followed by presentations by Board President Katie Kane and Healthy School Initiative Director Dr. Karen Li. This partnership with community non-profits and school programs demonstrates that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.

Meals on Wheels was awarded $100,000 to assist District residents who are not able to cook and shop for themselves receive a hot, nutritious meal every day. Currently, PVI Meals on Wheels delivers over 3,000 meals weekly to San Mateo County residents. The Meals on Wheels delivery team are trained to do wellness checks on participants while delivering meals, a vital component of the program.

Rosener House Adult Day Services was awarded $80,000 to help families in the District access the day program which promotes health, independence, and dignity for seniors and older adults with limitations and chronic conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease, post-stroke, and Parkinson’s disease, preventing hospitalizations and premature institutionalization. Family caregivers are provided much-needed respite from their constant responsibilities plus support services. Rosener House has seen a large growth in need for services this past year. All PVI programs are designed to help residents age in place.

The Sequoia Healthcare District (SHD) is committed to returning to the community 100% of property tax revenue in health-related programs and services. Its mission is to improve the health of District residents by enhancing access to care and promoting wellness. SHD is mindful of the health needs of all residents focusing primarily on vulnerable populations with special attention directed to dental, mental health, the elderly and the young child. This year 10 new grantees or new programs were funded, programs that support the best health programs serving all District residents. Grantees are selected solely on expected health outcomes.

Peninsula Volunteers, Inc., is a pioneer in senior services. For more than 70 years, PVI has provided high quality and nurturing programs for the aging on the Peninsula, supporting the independence, vitality and well-being of our older adult community. Each year, Peninsula Volunteers, Inc., delivers over $5 million in services, including over 175,000 hot meals to seniors and the homebound, and impacts over 5,000 households through its 3 core programs: Meals on Wheels, Rosener House Adult Day Services and Little House, the Roslyn G. Morris Activity Center, and the majority of the affordable senior housing in Menlo Park at Crane Place and Partridge/Kennedy Apartments. www.penvol.org